Ime Udoka is the new head coach (Merged)

[Moranis]

Did you know that Ime Udoka is engaged to Nia Long? Don't understand how this could have gone unreported until now.

Long time.  They had a son in 2011 and have been engaged since 2015.  Long has said she has no plans to actually get married. Weird.

[gouki88]

LOL, no shame... (that said, anyone caught it first hand?)

Jay Williams @RealJayWilliams
As it relates to the Boston Celtics tweet that came from my account a couple of hours ago… I did not post that & my passcode has now been changed.
7:37 PM · Jun 23, 2021

https://twitter.com/RealJayWilliams/status/1407845316582264833

This is unbelievably embarrassing. It even had the overuse of ellipses' common in his tweets!

It's been a very rough few weeks for Jay Williams, first with the KD thing and now this.

[SCeltic34]

I'm on board with this hire.  Being a disciple of Popovich is a massive positive IMO - of course it doesn't guarantee success (see Brown, Brett) but he's learned from one of the best. This guy knows what it takes to win as both a player and a coach. 

I've been pleasantly surprised with PBS's decisions thus far.

[Tr1boy]

Also a good hire to "hack" Nets system?

[Ogaju]

Also a good hire to "hack" Nets system?

Nets have a system?

[SHAQATTACK]

Congratulations to new coach Ime

[Ogaju]

LOL, no shame... (that said, anyone caught it first hand?)

Jay Williams @RealJayWilliams
As it relates to the Boston Celtics tweet that came from my account a couple of hours ago… I did not post that & my passcode has now been changed.
7:37 PM · Jun 23, 2021

https://twitter.com/RealJayWilliams/status/1407845316582264833

This is unbelievably embarrassing. It even had the overuse of ellipses' common in his tweets!

It's been a very rough few weeks for Jay Williams, first with the KD thing and now this.

What KD thing?

[Ogaju]

Did you know that Ime Udoka is engaged to Nia Long? Don't understand how this could have gone unreported until now.

Long time.  They had a son in 2011 and have been engaged since 2015.  Long has said she has no plans to actually get married. Weird.

lol….this relationship is not news, but that they are not married is news.

[Ogaju]

I know nothing about Udoka except for what I've read here. I'm willing to give him a chance.

"willing to give him a chance" LOL what choice do you have, they already hired him 

(I like the hire btw)

look that has to be said ..some folks aren’t that charitable….lol

[BitterJim]

Sam Cassell was my first choice, but Ime was my second. I am very happy with the pick, and think it bodes well for Brad as President. A low-risk low-reward hiring of a retread like Mark Jackson would have been horrible both on the court, and signaled that Brad was afraid to take risks.

I wonder if we bring in an experienced top assistant to work with Ime (like D'Antoni in BRK, or Ron Adams in Brad's first season) next year. Maybe someone that is in the running for HC jobs this year but doesn't get one looks for a 1 year stop gap job?

[gouki88]

LOL, no shame... (that said, anyone caught it first hand?)

Jay Williams @RealJayWilliams
As it relates to the Boston Celtics tweet that came from my account a couple of hours ago… I did not post that & my passcode has now been changed.
7:37 PM · Jun 23, 2021

https://twitter.com/RealJayWilliams/status/1407845316582264833

This is unbelievably embarrassing. It even had the overuse of ellipses' common in his tweets!

It's been a very rough few weeks for Jay Williams, first with the KD thing and now this.

What KD thing?

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/kevin-durant-jay-williams-nets-espn/1nx2qsgqhxl8t1ng511y7nrpme

[CelticSooner]

Can Udoka get the two J’s to take the next step? If so it’s a good hire. They will ultimately decide the C’s title hopes anyways.

[Muzzy66]

I have to say, I'm surprised by how much I like Brad as President so far.

1. I like that he made the Horford trade - I think adding Horford and Moses will improve the team this year, and I think the salary saving will halp the team in the future.

2. I like that his primary motivation for making the Horford trade was the desire to build a team around Brown/Tatum that makes the most of their talents

3. I like that he consulted Brown, Tatum and Smart with the coaching decision.  They really have no excuse for ignoring the coach if they themselves approved him, so it kinda forces them to take accountability for their play. and stop making excuses.  They have also played under Udoka before so they really have no excuses for complaining about his coaching style later down the road. 

4. I like that the coach they chose is a guy who (as a player) was a tough, physical, defensive minded hustle guy.  Smart should have immense respect for him since he was a similar player.  Hopefully he'll also help to push Jaylen and JT to be more engaged and active on the court.

5. I like the swift decisiveness I've seen in his moves so far.  Ainge made a lot of good moves, but also drive me nuts with the constantly hesitation to take advantage of big opportunities when they arose.  If what I've seen so far is any indication, it seems Brad will not have that problem.   

I was expecting Brad to be a bit of a disaster in this role but so far I'm pleasantly surprised.

[Tr1boy]

Hopefully MacMullen is right

"I think he's a great fit with Brad Stevens," MacMullan said. "When I think about Brad Stevens, I think of someone who is not a self-promoter, that likes to stay under the radar and just do his work. Someone who's a defensive-first coach in many ways, who believes in the pillars of consistency and character. All the things that the San Antonio Spurs have represented, an organization that we know Brad Stevens has openly admired, and Ime is part of that coaching tree.

"As for the players endorsing him, that is wonderful, but don't be mistaken. When need be, the word on the street is Ime can be a hard-nosed guy with his players. Fair, but can be hard-nosed and I think that's something this Celtics team could use."

[Tr1boy]

Rudy Gay on Udoka HC hire

“He’s got the perfect balance,” Gay added, per Goodman. “He’ll laugh and joke, but knows how to be serious. A lot of assistants tell you what you want to hear. Ime will give it straight to you.”